Financial Miracles or Happenstance? You Decide

Father sat down on the edge of the narrow bed. "Corrie," he began gently, "when you and I go to Amsterdam-when do I give you your ticket?"

I sniffed a few times, considering this.

"Why, just before we get on the train."

"Exactly. And our wise Father in heaven knows when we're going to need things, too. Don't run out ahead of Him, Corrie..."

A friend told me of this quote from Corrie ten Boom's The Hiding Place, years ago. The truth of it has impacted my faith ever since.

To put the quote into context, Corrie is crying because she's afraid her father will die. This is a terrible thought for any child, however, it's hard to imagine how much greater that fear would be when the danger of war is all around.

When we lost our son five years ago, people would often say to us that there is nothing like losing a child. That is the most tragic death to experience. It certainly was, and still is, the hardest for us.

While talking with a widower not long ago, he shared with us that he and his wife were married for almost 50 years. It had only been a year since he lost her. He still wore the pain on his face.

"They tell me losing a spouse is the hardest loss you can experience," he said, "even harder than losing a child." My husband and I stole a glance at each other and flashed a knowing half-smile. Then we both quietly nodded in agreement with the gentleman. His eyes dropped to the floor and a quiet pause fell over the conversation.

The loss each of us experience, whether it be a death in the family, joblessness, a marriage, or even losing a home can't be measured by anyone else's loss or pain. If it's the hardest crisis you have ever experienced, it is the worst thing in your life to have happen.

It's a given that we must take responsibility for our own lives. However, there are times when you work hard to do all that you know is right, and life spins out of your hands. Knowing there's nothing more within your power you can physically do is even more devastating.